Safety Chris Badger is no longer a part of Notre Dame’s football program. Per a report from Jake Brown of IrishIllustrated.com, the reserve safety has left the program and plans to enroll at BYU.

The Provo, Utah native was originally recruited by Charlie Weis, enrolled early for spring practice then went on a two-year Mormon mission. He returned to the program last summer and did not play last season, saving a year of eligibility.

Per Jay Drew, the BYU beat writer for the Salt Lake Tribune, Badger will attempt to gain immediate eligibility this season. Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune adds that the appeal will hinge on the health of Badger’s mother, who is ill and unable to travel. (BYU is in Badger’s hometown.)

The Irish depth chart looked ominous for Badger, who was buried deep behind some talented safeties. When Badger enrolled early in South Bend, there was no two-deep depth chart to speak of, with Badger joining a position group that included only Dan McCarthy, Harrison Smith, Jamoris Slaughter and Zeke Motta as returning scholarship players. Compare that to today, where the Irish opened camp with eight scholarship safeties, with Badger at or near the bottom of that group.

BYU starts classes on Tuesday. If the NCAA allows Badger to play this season, it’ll create the unique circumstance of having a player go through all of training camp with a team that he’ll compete against later that season.

I hope they grant him immediate eligibility. I always felt that Badger would have value as a 21 year old freshman considering the physical development that takes place between 18-21, but I guess we won’t find out at ND. Best of luck to Badger.

Ok .. I’m not a doctor but I think most men stop growing at 25.
Again, nothing against any religion … BYU, Utah and Utah state could technically field a team of 23-25 yr olds against anyone … of course they have to be skilled in the first place … and they would have to keep some sort of gym regiment during their mission …
but imagine right NOW Manti would still have 2 yrs eligibility … wow …

What a relief to finally have a transfer from a player that will likely have absolutely NO impact on the field at ND–the kind of transfer that means things ARE indeed going well for ND rather than because of some spurious, out-of-left field reason that usually leaves a positional depth chart in poor shape and the coaching staff scrambling for other less capable replacements to make ends meet.

It appears to be a logical, good move on Badger’s part. Best of luck to the guy and hope he finds success at BYU.